Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village, located in Dong Hoa Hiep commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province, lies about 110km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City and 46km from My Tho. It draws many visitors with its century-old homes and unique architecture.

In early 2023, a tour of these historic homes was recognized as one of Vietnam’s 20 most unique travel experiences by the Vietnam Records Organization.

Unlike the closely clustered heritage houses in Duong Lam (Hanoi) or Phuoc Tich (Hue), Dong Hoa Hiep’s ancient homes are interwoven with lush gardens and orchards bearing fruits like Hoa Loc mangoes, green-peel pomelos, longans, and jackfruit. The village also preserves traditional crafts such as rice paper and shrimp crackers.

During his summer break, 17-year-old Dang Hoang Minh, a photography and history enthusiast from Ho Chi Minh City, traveled over 100km to explore and photograph the village’s storied architecture.

“I’ve always loved art, photography, and history. I plan to apply for architecture school next year, so I wanted to use my summer to explore and practice,” Minh shared. He has visited 30 provinces across Vietnam, including all 13 in the Mekong Delta.

Minh set out at 4:30 AM on a 50cc motorbike and reached Dong Hoa Hiep around 10 AM, visiting the four oldest homes in the village: the Xoat, Ba Duc, and Kiet ancestral houses.

“The homes are beautiful, serene, and steeped in history. Each one has unique architectural features and stories that fascinate visitors,” Minh said.

Of the four, Minh was most impressed by the 200-year-old Xoat house. Stepping through its gate, he felt like he had entered a French-style mansion nestled in a riverside village. There, he met Mrs. Tri, the fifth-generation caretaker. Built in 1821 by Le Van Ky and Pham Thi Lau, the 750-square-meter home follows the Hue-style rường architecture with three main sections and two wings. It features hand-carved woodwork and ornate motifs of birds and dragons, preserved with remarkable integrity.

In 1920, the home’s facade was remodeled in a French style with white plaster columns and Western floral designs.

“Mrs. Tri was kind and welcoming. Even though I visited alone, she warmly shared the family’s history and the significance of each artifact. Before I left, she offered me fresh coconut water and wouldn’t accept any payment,” Minh recalled.

Minh then visited the house of Tran Tuan Kiet, built in 1838 and home to 108 rare căm xe wood pillars. Japanese archaeologists have classified it among the “Nine Most Beautiful Ancient Homes” in Vietnam. The house is a miniature museum filled with meticulously carved woodwork, mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture, porcelain items, and antiques dating back centuries.

He also explored the Ba Duc house, built in 1850 and restored in 1938. Located by a riverside lane, it spans 20,000 square meters and blends Vietnamese, Chinese, and French architectural styles. Eight generations of the Phan family have lived there. Its high ceilings, round pillars, and Western-style arches allow for excellent light and airflow. The furniture, ceramic lamps, and wooden artifacts are impeccably preserved.

Minh concluded his journey with visits to the Vo ancestral home (built in 1931), Cai Be Church, and Ap Bac Victory Memorial, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City at 6 PM.

He described the trip as “a history lesson through travel” and recommended the village to anyone wanting to “time travel” to the 19th or 20th centuries.